A late-night meeting between strangers in Centralia ended abruptly when the woman allegedly split with the man’s handgun and $650 in cash while the man was in the bathroom.
Hailey A. Hanby, 25, of Tacoma, was arrested three days later — along with her purported boyfriend — at a hotel in Vancouver, where police reportedly found the stolen handgun.
Hanby was booked into the Lewis County Jail on July 16. She made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court the next day. A judge set bail at $100,000 cash or bond.
Hanby is charged with one count each of theft of a firearm, first-degree unlawful firearm possession and escape from community custody. Both the theft and unlawful possession charges are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Escape from community custody is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Hanby is currently serving time on a Department of Corrections (DOC) hold.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a Centralia officer spoke to the victim on the phone at about 2:10 a.m. July 13. The victim said he was driving south on Interstate 5 to find the Dodge Charger Hanby had allegedly fled in.
The officer told the man to return home, and met him there.
According to the affidavit, the man said he’d met Hanby at a restaurant in Vancouver the day before and had continued to flirt with her over Instagram. The two arranged to meet.
Hanby arrived at the man’s home around 2 a.m. Minutes later, the man went to the bathroom. When he came out, he realized Hanby had left with his gun and cash.
The officer showed the victim a Department of Licensing photo of Hanby. The victim confirmed she was the suspect.
The officer learned that Hanby had an active DOC warrant and a second-degree assault conviction that prohibited her from possessing a firearm.
Police used the Flock Safety camera system to locate the suspect’s Charger in the area at the time of the reported meeting.
Washington State Patrol troopers located the Charger driving southbound on I-5. The Charger eluded them, however, and disappeared in the Vancouver area.
Centralia police later learned that Hanby was suspected of engaging in possible sex work in the Vancouver and Portland area. Hanby’s boyfriend, Omari A. Young, 25, was suspected in the theft of the Charger.
On July 16, after obtaining a warrant to locate Hanby, Clark County sheriff's deputies found the Charger parked outside the Red Lion Inn & Suites in Vancouver. The Southwest Washington Regional SWAT Team arrived and arrested Hanby and Young.
Police searched their hotel room and found the stolen handgun inside a “box of feminine hygiene products,” according to the affidavit.
Centralia detectives interviewed both suspects at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the affidavit, Hanby originally “denied any wrongdoing,” but then said a dispute had arisen between her and the man over payment for a "massage and companionship,” telling the detectives she’d been contacted by the man through a website providing escort services.
The woman said her boyfriend had stayed behind in Vancouver while she went to Centralia.
Hanby allegedly said the man wanted to record her on video and shower with her, but she declined both requests.
“She said the male placed his firearm on a piece of furniture and told her not to attempt to steal anything,” the affidavit said. When he went to the bathroom, she took the gun and left.
Hanby allegedly told the detectives she had thrown the gun out of the car window and said she’d been paid $550 for her companionship services, but did not divulge any sexual acts.
Hanby stopped talking shortly after detectives showed her a picture of the recovered gun. She was later booked into the Lewis County Jail. According to the Centralia Police Department, Young was arrested on local charges and booked into the Clark County Jail.
“The coordinated efforts of all participating agencies successfully removed two career criminals
from our streets, enhancing community safety,” the department said in a news release. “We are grateful for the outstanding support provided by the Washington State Patrol, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southwest Washington Regional SWAT Team.”
According to the affidavit, Hanby’s criminal history includes convictions for assault, attempted robbery and promoting prostitution.
She is scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday.
